Why isn't Arsenal Better?

[kddean66]

I'm watching the replay of the Arsenal v. Man Utd fixture and for the life of me I can't understand why Arsenal isn't leading the Premier League. I don't even like them but I can appreciate how talented they are. Any Arsenal fans have opinions on this?

 

[Grit]

Not an Arsenal fan, but I'm sure that Man U. have files on all the referees. Seems like too many decisions go in their favor.

 

[weezy109]

Cus they play soccer?? Hey YOOOOO!

 

[whodatpat]

Its the stupid shape of the football they use.

 

[spikypaddy]

Its the stupid shape of the football they use.

Yeah, it's just plain silly have a round ball... like nearly every other sport... golf, tennis, baseball, boules, snooker, pool, etc.[/sarcasm]

 

[geardaddy]

they just don't have the steel...they give up late and/or silly goals, and they can't put teams away when they should...

weren't they up 4-0 to newcastle early in the year, only to walk away with a 4-4 draw?

it's too bad, because they're fun to watch...

they need another patrick vieira, for starters...

 

[José]

Wenger is not the best to choose good defenders.

 

[tele salivas]

It seems to be a different set of reasons for evey match that isn't favorable. I don't know enough to make a grand analysis, but they are my favorite Premiership team and are an exciting bunch to watch. I'm still bummed that Schalke fell so convincingly. I was sure of an upset!

 

[hekawi]

too many kings, not enough knights

 

[imsilly]

It's mainly due to squad depth, specifically a lack of a decent second striker.

Defensively we are better then people's perceptions of us. It's because we have had a few high profile defensive debacles, but the statistics don't point to the defense being a major problem. Added to that people will always compare the current defense to the Graham era defense that was notoriously good. Also Vermaelen by far our best defender has been out the whole season and I think most teams would drop points without their star defender. Look at Chelsea when Terry was injured and they have a great defense.

There is also an element of psychology in the team that means we don't speculate enough while attacking. We score far to few goals from long and medium range because there is a reluctance to pull the trigger if there is a forward pass available. This is tied up with Arsenals style of football, but it also means players tend not to take responsibility for missing the opportunity to shoot. Players have said in the passed that sometimes the team lets opportunities pass them by because they won't take enough personal responsibility for finishing. We do tend to look to Fabregas and Van Persie to finish opportunities or play a final ball.

I think it's not really Wengers priority to win trophies no matter what he says. I think his priority is developing the facilities, finances, scouting, stadium and youth development. Trophies and commercial development are secondary. Arsenal are notoriously under commercial when compared to the other big 4 Premiership team. I saw Wenger in an interview once quite candidly laying out the relative returns for being successful in each area of a football club. He made it clear that he wouldn't over invest in the top wages and fees to bring trophy winning players to guarantee victory. He said if he can be competitive without adding debt to the club he would continue on that path.

There are also the small dramas of the club. Things like Fabregas/Barca saga that has reduced the effectiveness of our more talented players. The long world cup campaigns of both Spain and the Netherlands added to Fabregas and Van Persie's mixed season. The injuries of Van Persie, Walcott and Vermaelen didn't help, no team this year because the league is so competitive has done well with key injuries. Then you have weird contract stuff with senior players like Clichy and Nasri. I think next season there will be more stability. hopefully Fabregas will leave and Vermaelen will be fit enough to become captain. We should also sell some 21+ year old squad players and use the money to buy players in more key to winning a title. Denilson, Bendter, Almunia, Rosicky, etc should all go this season. Maybe even a few others might want to go Eboue, Clichy and Arshavin being the most likely.

 

[Buxton]

Psychologically weak. Can't cope with pressure or expectation. Watched my team beat them in the league cup final this year - they fell apart under the weight of expectation.

 

[jjkrause84]

Trying not to make a comment about the Premier League versus 'proper' leagues....

(Some of my best friends support Aldershot and Forrest, respectively....so I've heard a lot of the anti-Arsenal/Man. U/Chelsea/etc. thing over the years and totally see their viewpoint. There is something not quite right about hearing a Man. U. fan talk with a Brummie accent, etc.)

 

[jjkrause84]

Yeah, it's just plain silly have a round ball... like nearly every other sport... golf, tennis, BASEBALL, boules, snooker, pool, etc.[/sarcasm]

Ahem...don't you mean 'rounders'?

 

[blue metalflake]

At times they play such attractive football, but there's that something missing at times.

Tradition, mindset, attitude, .........

 

[kddean66]

Trying not to make a comment about the Premier League versus 'proper' leagues....

(Some of my best friends support Aldershot and Forrest, respectively....so I've heard a lot of the anti-Arsenal/Man. U/Chelsea/etc. thing over the years and totally see their viewpoint. There is something not quite right about hearing a Man. U. fan talk with a Brummie accent, etc.)

jj, mind telling us yanks what a Brummie accent is?

 

[jjkrause84]

The accent of someone from Burr-ming-um (or the surrounding areas, to a certain extent).

 

[blue metalflake]

Going down 3-1 to Stoke today maybe sums up a disappointing season

 

[Flat357]

They're not the best because Everton play in the Prem too.

Fools.

 

[Flaneur]

They don't like it up 'em............

 

[Duncas]

just cos you bring 12 amazing players together dosent make them a team. Man u have a long history so they are more likely to have a higher team spirit.

my local team just got relegated to the Semi-pro league. not even joking how bad they were